Axle alignment system

ABSTRACT

An axle alignment system for an axle assembly. The axle alignment system may include a bracket assembly and an alignment plate. The alignment plate may be moveably disposed on the bracket assembly with one or more fasteners that may move along one or more slots that may be provided with the bracket assembly and/or the alignment plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/529,347,filed Oct. 31, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated inits entirety by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent application relates to an axle alignment system.

BACKGROUND

An adjustment assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,528,920.

SUMMARY

In at least one embodiment, an axle alignment system is provided. Theaxle alignment system may include an axle assembly, a bracket assembly,an alignment plate, a lower control arm, and an upper control arm. Thebracket assembly may include a first plate and a second plate. The firstplate may define a first elongate slot, a second elongate slot, and aclearance hole. The second plate may be disposed proximate the firstplate. The second plate may define a third elongate slot, a fourthelongate slot, and a pry feature. The alignment plate may be disposedproximate the first plate. The alignment plate may have a first opening,a second opening, and a third opening. The first opening may be disposedproximate the first elongate slot. The second opening may be disposedproximate the second elongate slot. The third opening may be proximatelyaligned with the clearance hole. The lower and upper control arms mayextend between the axle assembly and the bracket assembly. The firstelongate slot and the third elongate slot may receive a first fastenerthat may mount the lower control arm to the bracket assembly. The secondelongate slot and fourth elongate slot may receive a second fastenerthat may mount the upper control arm to the bracket assembly. Thealignment plate may position the first fastener along the first andthird elongate slots and may position the second fastener along thesecond and fourth elongate slots to position the axle assembly withrespect to the bracket assembly.

In at least one embodiment, an axle alignment system is provided. Theaxle alignment system may include an axle assembly, a bracket assembly,an alignment plate, a lower control arm, and an upper control arm. Thebracket assembly may include a first plate that may have a firstelongate slot and a second elongate slot. The first and second elongateslots may each have a major axis and a minor axis. The alignment platemay have a first surface, a second surface, an alignment feature, afirst opening, and a second opening. The first surface may be disposedproximate the first plate. The second surface may be disposed oppositethe first surface. The alignment feature may be disposed proximate thesecond surface and may extend from the first plate. The first openingmay be aligned with the first elongate slot. The second opening may bealigned with the second elongate slot. The first opening and the secondopening may each be configured as an elongate slot that may have a majoraxis and a minor axis. The major axis and the minor axis may be disposedsubstantially perpendicular to each other. The major axis of the firstand second openings may be disposed nonparallel to the major axes of thefirst and second elongate slots, respectively. The lower and uppercontrol arms may extend between the axle assembly and the bracketassembly. The first elongate slot and the first opening may receive afirst fastener that may mount the lower control arm to the bracketassembly. The second elongate slot and the second bracket opening mayreceive a second fastener that may mount the upper control arm to thebracket assembly.

In at least one embodiment, an axle alignment system is provided. Theaxle alignment system may include a bracket assembly, an alignmentplate, and a linkage. The bracket assembly may include a first platehaving a first elongate slot, a second elongate slot, and a firstbracket. The alignment plate may have a first opening, a second opening,and an alignment plate bracket. The first opening may be aligned withthe first elongate slot. The second opening may be aligned with thesecond elongate slot. The linkage may extend along an axis between thefirst bracket and the alignment plate bracket. The first elongate slotand the first opening may receive a first fastener. The second elongateslot and the second opening may receive a second fastener. The linkagemay move the alignment plate with respect to the bracket assembly whenthe linkage is rotated about the axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an axle suspension system having an axlealignment system.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are side views of the axle alignment system of FIG. 1with various components removed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an axle suspension system and anotherembodiment of an axle alignment system.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an axle suspension system and anotherembodiment of an axle alignment system.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an axle suspension system and anotherembodiment of an axle alignment system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in variousand alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; somefeatures may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particularcomponents. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary axle suspension system 10 is shown.The axle suspension system 10 may be provided with a vehicle, such as atrailer that may be provided with a motor vehicle. The axle suspensionsystem 10 may include a frame assembly 20, a first axle assembly 30, asecond axle assembly 34, a first control arm assembly 50, and a secondcontrol arm assembly 60.

The first axle assembly 30 may be spaced apart from the second axleassembly 34. The first axle assembly 30 may extend along an axis 32. Thesecond axle assembly 34 may extend along an axis 36.

A wheel hub assembly 40 may be provided at each end of the first axleassembly 30 and the second axle assembly 34. Each wheel hub assembly 40may be configured to receive a wheel upon which a tire may be mounted.In FIG. 1, the wheel and the tire are removed for clarity.

The frame assembly 20 may be provided with a first rail 22 that may bespaced apart from a second rail 24. The first rail 22 may be connectedto the second rail 24 by a cross member 26. The cross member 26 mayfacilitate the mounting of suspension system components, such as a shockabsorber, suspension ride height control system, and an air springassembly.

A first bracket assembly 70 may be mounted to the first rail 22. Asecond bracket assembly 110 may be mounted to the second rail 24. Thefirst bracket assembly 70 and the second bracket assembly 110 may eachhave a first plate 72 and a second plate 90. The first plate 72 may bedisposed proximate and may be spaced apart from the second plate 90.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the outboard first plate 72 may have a firstsurface 74 and a second surface 76 that may be disposed opposite thefirst surface 74. The outboard first plate 72 may define at least onefirst elongate slot 78 that may extend from the first surface 74 to thesecond surface 76. The first elongate slot 78 may have a first elongateslot width extending along a first elongate slot major axis 80 from afirst end of the first elongate slot 78 to a second end of the firstelongate slot 78 that may be disposed opposite the first end. The firstelongate slot 78 may have a first elongate slot height extending along afirst elongate slot minor axis 82. The first elongate slot minor axis 82may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the first elongate slotmajor axis 80. The first elongate slot width may be greater or longerthan the first elongate slot height.

The outboard first plate 72 may define at least one second elongate slot84 that may be spaced apart from the first elongate slot 78. The secondelongate slot 84 may have a second elongate slot width extending along asecond elongate slot major axis 86 from a first end of the secondelongate slot 84 to a second end of the second elongate slot 84 that maybe disposed opposite the first end. The second elongate slot 84 may havea second elongate slot height extending along a second elongate slotminor axis 88. The second elongate slot minor axis 88 may be disposedsubstantially perpendicular to the second elongate slot major axis 86.The second elongate slot width may be greater or longer than the secondelongate slot height.

The first elongate slot major axis 80 and the second elongate slot majoraxis 86 may be disposed substantially parallel to each other. The firstelongate slot major axis 80 and the second elongate slot major axis 86may not be coaxially disposed with each other. Additionally, the firstelongate slot minor axis 82 and the second elongate slot minor axis 88may be disposed generally parallel to each other. The first elongateslot minor axis 82 and the second elongate slot minor axis 88 may not becoaxially disposed with each other.

The outboard first plate 72 may have additional elongate slots that maybe spaced apart from the first elongate slot 78 and the second elongateslot 84. For example, a pair of first elongate slots 78 and a pair ofsecond elongate slots 84 may be provided. The additional elongate slotsmay be mirrored about an axis of symmetry with a similar configurationas the first elongate slot 78 and the second elongate slot 84.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the inboard second plate 90 may have a firstsurface 92 and a second surface 94 that may be disposed opposite thefirst surface 92. The inboard second plate 90 may have at least onethird elongate slot 96 that may extend from the first surface 92 to thesecond surface 94. The third elongate slot 96 may have a third elongateslot width extending along a third elongate slot major axis 98 from afirst end of the third elongate slot 96 to a second end of the thirdelongate slot 96 that may be disposed opposite the first end. The thirdelongate slot 96 may have a third elongate slot height extending along athird elongate slot minor axis 100. The third elongate slot minor axis100 may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the third elongateslot major axis 98. The third elongate slot width may be greater orlonger than the third elongate slot height.

The inboard second plate 90 may define at least one fourth elongate slot102 that may be spaced apart from the third elongate slot 96. The fourthelongate slot 102 may have a fourth elongate slot width extending alonga fourth elongate slot major axis 104 from a first end of the fourthelongate slot 102 to a second end of the fourth elongate slot 102 thatmay be disposed opposite the first end. The fourth elongate slot 102 mayhave a fourth elongate slot height extending along a fourth elongateslot minor axis 106. The fourth elongate slot minor axis 106 may bedisposed substantially perpendicular to the fourth elongate slot majoraxis 104. The fourth elongate slot width may be greater or longer thanthe fourth elongate slot height.

The third elongate slot major axis 98 and the fourth elongate slot majoraxis 104 may be disposed substantially parallel to each other. The thirdelongate slot major axis 98 and the fourth elongate slot major axis 104may not be coaxially disposed with each other. Additionally, the thirdelongate slot minor axis 100 and the fourth elongate slot minor axis 106may be disposed generally parallel to each other. The third elongateslot minor axis 100 and the fourth elongate slot minor axis 106 may notbe coaxially disposed with each other.

The inboard second plate 90 may have additional elongate slots spacedapart from the third elongate slot 96 and the fourth elongate slot 102.For example, a pair of third elongate slots 96 and a pair of fourthelongate slots 102 may be provided. The additional elongate slots may bemirrored about an axis of symmetry with a similar configuration as thethird elongate slot 96 and the fourth elongate slot 102.

Referring to FIG. 1, the first bracket assembly 70 and the secondbracket assembly 110 each may be configured to receive a first controlarm assembly 50 and a second control arm assembly 60 between theoutboard first plate 72 and the inboard second plate 90.

The first control arm assembly 50 may include a first lower control arm52 and/or a second lower control arm 54. As is best shown in FIG. 2A,the first lower control arm 52 may extend from the first bracketassembly 70 to the first axle assembly 30. The second lower control arm54 may extend from the first bracket assembly 70 to the second axleassembly 34.

The second control arm assembly 60 may include a first upper control arm62 and/or a second upper control arm 64. A portion of the first uppercontrol arm 62 may extend from the bracket assembly 70 to the first axleassembly 30. Another portion of the first upper control arm 62, such asa connecting rod, may extend from the first bracket assembly 70 to thesecond bracket assembly 110 or from the first upper control arm 62associated with the first bracket assembly 70 to the first upper controlarm 62 associated with the second bracket assembly 110. A portion of thesecond upper control arm 64 may extend from the first bracket assembly70 to the second axle assembly 34. Another portion of the second uppercontrol arm 64, such a connecting rod, may extend from the first bracketassembly 70 to the second bracket assembly 110 or between the secondupper control arms 64.

The first lower control arm 52 may be disposed proximate and may engagea fastener 120. The fastener 120 may facilitate mounting of the firstlower control arm 52 to the first bracket assembly 70. For instance, thefirst lower control arm 52 may be configured to receive the fastener120. Alternatively, the fastener 120 may extend from a portion of thefirst lower control arm 52. The fastener 120 may have any suitableconfiguration. For instance, the fastener 120 may include a bolt havinga shank and a nut. The shank of the fastener 120 may extend through thefirst elongate slot 78, a portion of the first lower control arm 52, abushing assembly, and the third elongate slot 96. The bushing assemblymay include a rubber-metal bushing and a thrust washer.

The first lower control arm 52 may be configured to receive anotherfastener. The fastener may facilitate mounting of the first lowercontrol arm 52 to the first axle assembly 30. The fastener may extendthrough a portion of the first lower control arm 52, a bushing assembly,and a portion of the first axle assembly 30, such as a bracket extendingfrom the first axle assembly 30. The bushing assembly may include arubber-metal bushing and a thrust washer.

The second lower control arm 54 may be mounted to the first bracketassembly 70 and the second axle assembly 34 in a similar manner as thefirst lower control arm 52 is mounted to the first bracket assembly 70and the first axle assembly 30.

The first upper control arm 62 may be disposed proximate and may engagea fastener 130. The fastener 130 may facilitate mounting of the firstupper control arm 62 to the bracket assembly 70. For instance, thefastener 130 may be configured to receive the fastener 130.Alternatively, the fastener 130 may extend from a portion of the firstupper control arm 62. The fastener 130 may have any suitableconfiguration. For instance, the fastener 130 may include a bolt havinga shank and a nut. The shank of the fastener 130 may extend through thesecond elongate slot 84, a portion of the first upper control arm 62, abushing assembly, and the fourth elongate slot 102.

The first upper control arm 62 may be configured to receive anotherfastener. The fastener may facilitate mounting of the first uppercontrol arm 62 to the first axle assembly 30. The fastener may extendthrough a portion of the first upper control arm 62, a bushing assembly,and a portion of the first axle assembly 30, such as a bracket extendingfrom the first axle assembly 30.

The second upper control arm 64 may be mounted to the first bracketassembly 70 and the second axle assembly 34 in a similar manner as thefirst upper control arm 62 is mounted to the first bracket assembly 70and the first axle assembly 30.

Referring to FIG. 3, the axle suspension system 10 may be provided withan axle alignment system 140 that may be configured to adjust thealignment of the first axle assembly 30 and/or the second axle assembly34. The alignment of the first axle assembly 30 and the second axleassembly 34 may adjusted relative to a kingpin or other suitablealignment reference to ensure that axle suspension system 10 is pulledin a straight line behind the vehicle. Proper alignment may set thewheels and tires of the wheel hub assemblies 40 into a position thatenhances tire performance and helps evenly distribute tire wear.

The kingpin may be spaced apart from the first axle assembly 30 and thesecond axle assembly 34 and may be disposed between the first rail 22and the second rail 24 of the frame assembly 20. The kingpin may beconfigured to couple the trailer provided with the axle suspensionsystem 10 to the vehicle or tractor that may pull the trailer. Thekingpin may slidably engage a slot in a skidplate that may be disposedon the vehicle and a locking feature may close about the kingpin tocouple the trailer to the tractor.

The first axle assembly 30 may be aligned relative to the kingpin whenthe axle suspension system 10 is at a predetermined ride height. A firstmeasurement may be taken from the kingpin to a first end of the firstaxle assembly 30 proximate the axis 32. A second measurement may betaken from the kingpin to a second end of the first axle assembly 30proximate the axis 32. If a difference between the first measurement andthe second measurement is greater than a first threshold difference, thefirst axle assembly 30 may require adjustment or alignment. The positionof the first axle assembly 30 may be adjusted such that the firstthreshold difference between the first measurement and the secondmeasurement is less than the first threshold difference.

The process of aligning the first axle assembly 30 may begin byloosening the fastener 120 and the fastener 130. The axle alignmentsystem 140 may translate the fastener 120 along the first elongate slotmajor axis 80 and may translate the fastener 130 along the secondelongate slot major axis 86.

After the first axle assembly 30 is properly aligned, the second axleassembly 34 may be aligned relative to the first axle assembly 30. Athird measurement may be taken from the first end of the first axleassembly 30 proximate the axis 32 to a first end of the second axleassembly 34 proximate the axis 36. A fourth measurement may be takenfrom the second end of the first axle assembly 30 proximate the axis 32to a second end of the second axle assembly 34 proximate the axis 36. Ifa difference between the third measurement and the fourth measurement isgreater than a second threshold difference, the second axle assembly 34may require adjustment or alignment.

The second axle assembly 34 and its associated fasteners may be alignedusing a similar process as discussed above with respect to the firstaxle assembly 30.

In some situations, a person servicing the axle suspension system 10 mayattempt to adjust the position of the first axle assembly 30 or secondaxle assembly 34 without loosening both the fastener 120 and fastener130. Should only the fastener 120 be loosened, the bushing assemblyassociated with the first upper control arm 62 may experience a preloadthat may reduce bushing assembly life. Should only the fastener 130 beloosened, the bushing assembly associated the first lower control arm 52may experience a preload that may reduce bushing assembly life.

In an effort to obviate the possible preloading of the bushingassemblies, the axle alignment system 140 may be provided with analignment plate 142. The alignment plate 142 may be configured such thatthe fastener 120 and the fastener 130 are both loosened prior toadjusting the alignment of the first axle assembly 30 and the secondaxle assembly 34 to avoid preloading the bushing assemblies.

Referring to FIGS. 1 2A and 2B, the alignment plate 142 may be disposedproximate the outboard first plate 72. The alignment plate 142 may havea first surface 144 that may be disposed proximate the first surface 74of the outboard first plate 72. The alignment plate 142 may have asecond surface 146 that may be disposed opposite the first surface 144.

The alignment plate 142 may have a first opening 150 that may bedisposed proximate and may be aligned with the first elongate slot 78 ofthe outboard first plate 72. The first opening 150 may receive fastener120. A first weld boss may be provided on the first surface 144proximate the first opening 150. The alignment plate 142 may have asecond opening 152 that may be spaced apart from the first opening 150and that may be disposed proximate the second elongate slot 84 of theoutboard first plate 72. The second opening 152 may receive fastener130. A second weld boss may be provided on the first surface 144proximate the second opening 152.

Force may be applied to the alignment plate 142 to move the alignmentplate 142 with respect to the bracket assembly 70, 110 by a variety ofmethods, as will be discussed in more detail below. The force appliedmay cause the alignment plate 142 to forcibly engage the shank offastener 120 and/or the shank of fastener 130. The forcible engagementof the alignment plate 142 with shank of the fastener 120 may translatethe fastener 120 along the first elongate slot major axis 80 and thethird elongate slot major axis 98. The forcible engagement of thealignment plate 142 with the shank of the fastener 130 may translate thefastener 130 along the second elongate slot major axis 86 and the fourthelongate slot major axis 104.

The fastener 120 and the fastener 130 may translate substantiallysimultaneously to position the first axle assembly 30 with respect tothe bracket assembly 70, 110 to align the first axle assembly 30. Theaxle alignment process may be repeated on a second alignment plate toalign the second axle assembly 34.

Referring to FIG. 3, an axle suspension system having a differentconfiguration of the axle alignment system 140 is shown. The firstopening 150 and the second opening 152 of the alignment plate 142 mayhave a circular or slotted configuration. In a circular configuration,the first opening 150 may have a first diameter and the second opening152 may have a second diameter. The first diameter and the seconddiameter may be substantially equal in one or more embodiments.

Force may be applied to the alignment plate 142 with a pry bar 160. Insuch a configuration, the outboard first plate 72 of the bracketassembly 70 may have a clearance hole 162, as is best shown in FIG. 2A.The clearance hole 162 may be disposed between the first elongate slot78 and the second elongate slot 84. The clearance hole 162 may beconfigured as a generally elongate slot having a major axis that mayextend between the first elongate slot 78 and the second elongate slot84 and that may extend at an angle with respect to at least one of thefirst elongate slot minor axis 82 of the and the second elongate slotminor axis 88.

Referring to FIGS. 2B and 3, the inboard second plate 90 of a bracketassembly 70, 110 may be provided with a pry feature 164 that may bedisposed between the third elongate slot 96 and the fourth elongate slot102. The pry feature 164 may be a hole that may be sized to receive aportion of the pry bar 160, such as an end of the pry bar 160. The pryfeature 164 may alternatively be a welded washer, tab, recess or thelike that may be formed on the inboard second plate 90.

Referring to FIG. 1, the alignment plate 142 may be provided with athird opening 170 that may be disposed between the first opening 150 andthe second opening 152. The third opening 170 may be proximately alignedwith the clearance hole 162. The third opening 170 and the clearancehole 162 may be sized such that a portion of the pry bar 160 may extendthrough the third opening 170 and the clearance hole 162 to engage thepry feature 164 disposed on the inboard second plate 90, as shown inFIG. 3.

Movement of the pry bar 160 while engaged with the pry feature 164 maycause a portion of the pry bar 160 to engage a portion of the alignmentplate 142. Force exerted by the pry bar 160 upon the alignment plate 142may move the alignment plate 142 with respect to the bracket assembly70, 110 to position the fastener 120 and the fastener 130 to align thefirst axle assembly 30. This procedure may be repeated to align thesecond axle assembly 34. Nuts associated with the fasteners may betightened to secure and inhibit movement of the fasteners 120, 130 afteralignment is obtained.

Referring to FIG. 3, the clearance hole 162 and the pry feature 164 maybe positioned relative to each other to permit pry bar movement within aclearance zone between the tires. In some scenarios the tires mayrestrict access of the pry bar 160 to the axle alignment system 140.Therefore, an alignment plate 180 may have a generally arcuate orboomerang shape, curving towards a center of the bracket assembly 70,110. This shape may move a center point for the pry bar 160 closer tothe center of the bracket assembly 70, 110 to permit additionalclearance between the tires and the pry bar 160.

Referring to FIG. 4, an axle suspension system having anotherconfiguration of an axle alignment system 140 is shown. The firstopening 150 and the second opening 152 of the alignment plate 142 may beconfigured as an oval opening or a substantially linear elongated slot.Each opening 150, 152 may have a first width extending along a firstmajor axis 166 and a first height extending along a first minor axis168. The first major axis 166 may be disposed substantiallyperpendicular to the first minor axis 168 and the first width may begreater than the first height. The first and second openings 150, 152may have substantially the same configuration in one or moreembodiments. In addition, the first major axis 166 of the first opening150 may be disposed substantially parallel to the first major axis 166of the second opening 152 and the first major axes 166 may not becoaxially disposed with each other. The first major axis 166 of thefirst opening 150 may be disposed at an angle in a substantiallynonparallel relationship with the first elongate slot major axis 80. Thefirst major axis 166 of the second opening 152 may be disposed at anangle in a substantially nonparallel relationship with the secondelongate slot major axis 86.

The alignment plate 142 may have an alignment feature 190. The alignmentfeature 190 may protrude or extend from the alignment plate 142. Forexample, the alignment feature 190 may be disposed proximate the secondsurface 146 of the alignment plate 142 and may extend away from thealignment plate 142 and the outboard first plate 72. In at least oneembodiment, the alignment feature 190 may be configured as one or morepins that may be disposed between the first opening 150 and the secondopening 152. In at least one embodiment, the alignment feature 190 maybe configured as a guide plate having a generally rectangular shape. Theclearance hole 162 may be configured to receive a portion of the guideplate. The clearance hole 162 may be sized to be larger than guide plateto allow the guide plate to traverse within the clearance hole 162 inresponse to a force applied to the guide plate.

Force may be applied to the alignment feature 190 to adjust the positionof the alignment plate 142 and its associated fasteners 120, 130 toalign an axle assembly, which may thereby move a corresponding controlarm relative to the bracket assembly 70, 110. For example, force may beapplied by a tool 192, like a hammer, mallet, or the like. The differentangular positioning between the first opening 150 and the first andthird elongate slots 78, 96 and between the second opening 152 and thesecond and fourth elongate slots 84, 102 may allow one or more fasteners120, 130 to translate laterally and/or longitudinally in response toforce exerted on the alignment plate 142.

Referring to FIG. 5, an axle suspension system having anotherconfiguration of an axle alignment system 140 is shown. In thisembodiment, a drive assembly 200 may be provided to translate thealignment plate 142 relative to the bracket assembly 70 to adjust theposition of the fastener 120 and/or the fastener 130 to align at leastone axle assembly.

The outboard first plate 72 may have a first bracket 202 that may extendfrom the outboard first plate 72. The first bracket 202 may have aclearance hole and may be generally U-shaped. The alignment plate 142may have an alignment plate bracket 204 that may extend from the secondsurface 146 of the alignment plate 142. The alignment plate bracket 204may be provided with a threaded hole and a retainer 210 or locking tabthat may be disposed proximate the threaded hole. The first bracket 202may be spaced apart from the alignment plate bracket 204. The threadedhole and the clearance hole may be coaxially aligned.

A drive mechanism may interconnect the first bracket 202 and thealignment plate bracket 204. The drive mechanism may be a linkage 206that may extend along an axis 208 between the first bracket 202 and thealignment plate bracket 204. The linkage 206 may be a ball screw, aroller screw, a captive bolt, a lead screw, a linear actuator, a wormdrive, or the like. The drive assembly 200 may translate rotary motionof the linkage 206 to linear motion of the first bracket 202 relative tothe alignment plate bracket 204, or vice versa.

A first portion of the linkage 206 may be retained by the first bracket202 and the body of the linkage 206 may extend through the clearancehole to permit rotation of the linkage 206. A second portion of thelinkage 206 may engage the threaded hole of the alignment plate bracket204.

The rotation of the linkage 206 about the axis 208 in a first directionmay drive the alignment plate 142 via the alignment plate bracket 204away from the first bracket 202. The rotation of the linkage 206 aboutthe axis 208 in a second direction may drive the alignment plate 142,via the alignment plate bracket 204 toward the first bracket 202.

The driving of the alignment plate 142 may move the alignment plate 142with respect to the bracket assembly 70 to position the fastener 120with respect to the first elongate slot 78 and the third elongate slot96 and/or position the fastener 130 with respect to the second elongateslot 84 and the fourth elongate slot 102 to position the first axleassembly 30 with respect to the bracket assembly 70. A similar alignmentplate 142 and drive mechanism or linkage 206 may be provided to positionthe second axle assembly 34.

In at least one embodiment, a drive mechanism including an eccentricwasher or eccentric collar as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,528,920, maybe disposed proximate the first control arm and the second control arm.The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 8,528,920 is assigned to the assignee ofthe present application is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. The eccentric washer may drive the position of the fastener120 and/or the fastener 130 by engaging alignment blocks disposed on theoutboard first plate 72 of the bracket assembly 70. The alignment blocksmay trap the eccentric washer to prevent the eccentric washer frommoving fore or aft as the eccentric washer is rotated.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended thatthese embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather,the words used in the specification are words of description rather thanlimitation, and it is understood that various changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may becombined to form further embodiments of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An axle alignment system comprising: an axleassembly; a bracket assembly including: a first plate defining a firstelongate slot, a second elongate slot, and a clearance hole, and asecond plate disposed proximate the first plate, the second platedefining a third elongate slot, a fourth elongate slot, and a pryfeature; an alignment plate disposed proximate the first plate that hasa first opening disposed proximate the first elongate slot, a secondopening disposed proximate the second elongate slot, and a third openingproximately aligned with the clearance hole; a lower control arm thatextends between the axle assembly and the bracket assembly; and an uppercontrol arm that extends between the axle assembly and the bracketassembly; wherein the first elongate slot and the third elongate slotreceive a first fastener that mounts the lower control arm to thebracket assembly and the second elongate slot and the fourth elongateslot receive a second fastener that mounts the upper control arm to thebracket assembly, wherein the alignment plate positions the firstfastener along the first and third elongate slots and positions thesecond fastener along the second and fourth elongate slots to positionthe axle assembly with respect to the bracket assembly.
 2. The axlealignment system of claim 1 wherein a pry bar extends through the thirdopening and the clearance hole and engages the pry feature.
 3. The axlealignment system of claim 2 wherein force exerted by the pry bar on thealignment plate positions the first fastener with respect to the firstelongate slot and the third elongate slot.
 4. The axle alignment systemof claim 2 wherein force exerted by the pry bar on the alignment platepositions the second fastener with respect to the second elongate slotand the fourth elongate slot.
 5. The axle alignment system of claim 2wherein force exerted by the pry bar on the alignment plate positionsthe first fastener with respect to the first elongate slot and the thirdelongate slot and positions the second fastener with respect to thesecond elongate slot and the fourth elongate slot.
 6. The axle alignmentsystem of claim 1 wherein the clearance hole is disposed between thefirst and second elongate slots.
 7. The axle alignment system of claim 1wherein the pry feature is disposed between the third and fourthelongate slots.
 8. The axle alignment system of claim 1 wherein thefirst fastener extends through the first opening of the alignment plateand the second fastener extends through the second opening of thealignment plate.
 9. The axle alignment system of claim 1 wherein thethird opening is disposed between the first opening and the secondopening.
 10. The axle alignment system of claim 1 wherein force exertedby a pry bar on the alignment plate moves the alignment plate and atleast one of the lower control arm and the upper control arm relative tothe bracket assembly.
 11. The axle alignment system of claim 1 wherein amajor axis of the first elongate slot extends from a first end of thefirst elongate slot to a second end of the first elongate slot such thatthe major axis of the first elongate slot is longer than a minor axis ofthe first elongate slot.
 12. The axle alignment system of claim 11wherein a major axis of the second elongate slot extends from a firstend of the second elongate slot to a second end of the second elongateslot such that the major axis of the second elongate slot is longer thana minor axis of the second elongate slot.
 13. The axle alignment systemof claim 12 wherein the minor axes of the first and second elongateslots are disposed substantially perpendicular to the major axes of thefirst and second elongate slots, respectively.
 14. The axle alignmentsystem of claim 11 wherein major axes of the first opening and secondopening of the alignment plate extend at an angle with respect to thelower control arm and the upper control arm.
 15. The axle alignmentsystem of claim 14 wherein the major axis of the first opening isdisposed substantially parallel to a major axis of the second opening.16. The axle alignment system of claim 1 wherein the first elongate slotis disposed substantially parallel to the second elongate slot.
 17. Theaxle alignment system of claim 1 wherein force exerted by a tool on thealignment plate translates the first fastener along the first elongateslot and the first opening.
 18. The axle alignment system of claim 17wherein force exerted by the tool on the alignment plate translates thesecond fastener along the second elongate slot and the second opening.